Motorcycle rear wheel suspension

The combination of a motorcycle frame, an engine and a transmission mounted on the frame, a rear wheel suspension mounted on the frame and including a rear wheel support means, a rear wheel mounted on said rear wheel support means for rotation about a first rotation axis, first drive means mounted on the rear wheel for rotation about the first rotation axis, second drive means coupled to said transmission for rotation about a second rotation axis, belt means coupling said first and second drive means, said rear wheel support means being wholly displaced from said first rotation axis, mounting means mounted on said frame between said first and second drive means for supporting said rear wheel support means for movement in an arcuate path having a center of curvature coincident with said second rotation axis so that the distance between said first and second rotation axes remains substantially constant as said motorcycle is operated.

The combination of, a motorcycle frame, an engine and a transmission mounted on the frame, a rear wheel suspension mounted on the frame and including a wheel support means, a rear wheel mounted on said wheel support means for rotation about a first rotation axis, first sprocket means mounted on the rear wheel for rotation about the first rotation axis, second sprocket means coupled to said transmission for rotation about a second rotation axis, belt means coupling said first and second sprocket means, mounting means mounted on said frame and displaced from said second sprocket means for supporting said wheel support means for movement in an arcuate path having a center of curvature coincident with said second rotation axis so that the distance between said first and second rotation axes remains substantially constant as said motorcycle is operated, said mounting means comprising arcuate rail means for defining an arcuate path whose center of curvature is coincident with said second rotation axis, and roller means mounted on said wheel support means for engaging said rail means whereby said wheel support means is movable in the arcuate path defined by said rail means.

The combination of a motorcycle frame, an engine and a transmission mounted on the frame, a rear wheel suspension mounted on the frame and including wheel support means, a wheel mounted on said wheel support means for rotation about a first rotation axis, first drive means mounted on the wheel for rotation about the first rotation axis, second drive means coupled to said transmission for rotation about a second rotation axis, belt means coupling said first and second drive means, mounting means mounted on said frame between said first and second drive means for supporting said wheel support means for movement in an arcuate path having a center of curvature lying on the side of said path opposite said first rotation axis and coincident with said second rotation axis so that the distance between said first and second rotation axes remains substantially constant as said motorcycle is operated, said mounting means comprising arcuate rail means for defining an arcuate path whose center of curvature is coincident with said second rotation axis, and roller means mounted on said wheel support means for engaging said rail means whereby said wheel support means is movable in the arcuate path defined by said rail means.

A roller arm for supporting the rear wheel of a motorcycle having a frame, said roller arm comprising arm means, said rear wheel being rotatably mounted on said arm means, a plurality of rollers disposed on said arm means for engaging an arcuate rail mounted on the motorcycle frame, said rollers being constructed and arranged to engage and be mounted on the roller means, whereby said wheel support means is movable in the arcuate path defined by the rail means.